Selecting device for electric bells and the like.



W. E. MUNTZ.

SELECTING DEViCE FOR ELECTRIC BELLS AND THE LIKE.

- APPLICATION HLE D SEPT- 5. 1914.

1,294,691 Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. E. MUNTZ.

SELECTING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC BELLS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. 19m.

1,294,691 Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

0% 8a: wa vf @224,

W E. MUNTZ.

SELECTING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC BELLS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 5. IBM

- 1,294,691. PatentedFeb. 18, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

u w IIIIIUIIIHII'IIIIIIIIQ I UNITED s'rA rEs FATENT anion.

WILLIAM EDGAR Munrz, or nonnon, ENGLAND.

SELEGTINGDEVIOE non ELnornIoBnLLsjnnD THE IlIKE.

Specification of Letters ?atent.

Patented Feb. is, 1919 Application filed September 5, 1-914. Serial No. 860,451.

will be enabled :to recognize without visual aidthe source or origin of a-suinmons such as is given by atremblin-g bell or the like.

In days before the USQ'Of electric bells was general, and when every bell had. its own pull, the bells were seldom identical in tone; the attendant therefore had little difliculty in recognizingeadh by sound Without looking at the bellitself-or atithe pendulum attached thereto.

With electricity,however,one bellis made todo duty for a number of-diiferent circuits, and it is impossible without looking at the indicator to know whence'the ring proceeds.

"It would obviously be a .great advantage if the attendant, who cannot constantly be within sight of the indicator, could tell by sound alone whence a summons came, for thereby {journeys to and from the indicator and considerable time might often be saved.

According to my invention I provide at every place where there would usually be a push, a device which when operated will cause to be given a warning ring of sufficiently long duration to attract attention and subsequently a combinationof long and short rings which by their number-and order of arrangement will indicate the number of the room or other place from whence the ring proceeds.

The device abovementioned consists ofan arrangement; somewhat akin to the district messenger call box,but with this diiference, viz':in the call, box when the lever is put over, it winds up a spring which when the lever is released causes the rotation ofa disk or wheel whereby a number of interruptions of varying duration are made in the current from a central battery and a record'of these interruptions is made on a Morse tape. In the subject of this invention the downward stroke of the lever against a spring originates an audible signal of comparatively long duration with the object of attracting theattention of the attendant. The return movement of the lever permits the transmission of a predetermined number of impulses resulting in audible sounds of long and short duration constituting the signal whichwill be readily recognizable as emanating from a particular place in the installation.

In the accompanyingdrawing:

Figure 1 is an outside view of a call box embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation with the cover removed. 1

Fig. 3 isa crosssection.

Figs. 4: and 5 are frontelevation and cross section, showingpa'rts of-the apparatus and a method of fitting the same with means for preventing the operation of the device in an in efficient manner. I

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. l-showing the parts in a diiferentiposition.

Fig. 7 is a plan view detached of -the segmental contact .pieceto 'be presently described.

as is a fixed axle secured to the casing b. On this axle is loosely mounted the operating lever which is preferably outside the casing and to which is rigidly attached an arm cl within the casing. e is a segmental piece,preferably a quadrant, mounted on the axle a within the casing. This segment can turn to some extent on the axle a and is connected thereto by'a clock spring in the drum 0 one end of which spring is fast to the segment and the other to the aXle. The'segment 0 is of insulating material and carries metallic contacts as hereafter explained. The segment 6 has a part f to the circular edge of which is fixed a'toothed rack g. This rack g engages witha train of clock-work h controlled. by an escapment device 5 in a manner that will be easily understood. Within the casing 72 is a lever j rocking on a pivot and soweighted as-to fall outward away from the segment 6. To the rocking lever j is rigidly attached-the arm adapted to engage by means of a pin Z behind the arm cl above referred to. The arm cl and lever e rigid therewith are provided with a spring wt preferably coiled inside theboss of the lever 0 which springtends to return the said lever a and the arm cl to their normal positions. On the face of the segment 6 is a metallic pin 29 against which the arm d presses when the lever 0 is pressed over to ring the bell. The effect of the movement of the lever 0 and the arm (Z on the segment 6 through the pin p is to rotate the segment on its axle a, and in doing so to wind up the clock spring in the drum 6 The return of the segment 6 takes place under the influence of the spring in the drum e when the lever c is released and is controlled by the clockwork and escapement before referred to.

The pin 29 besides being an engaging pin for the arm (Z is also an electrical contact piece and is connected to one end (preferably the positive) of the circuit in which the bell is placed in any convenient manner. The other wire of the circuit (negative) is connected to the fulcrum of the lever z' and to the axle a. In Fig. 2 these connections are indicated by broken lines.

0 are metallic contacts on the periphcry of the segment 0. These contacts are connected by a metallic strip electrically either to the pin 72 or to a terminal on the insulated segment as near its axle as convenient. It is these metallic contacts 0 which give the pre-arranged signal of long and short rings, and they are adapted to rub against a knife edge a on the lever j in the manner to be explained.

It will be observed on referring to the drawings, Fig. 2 or 4:, that the arm (Z is shown vertical, held in that position by the spring m. In this position the arm (Z supports the lever j through the arm and prevents it from falling outward into the position of Fig. 6 which is regulated by the stop 9. Likewise it will be observed that the electric circuit is interrupted, there being no connection between the pin 79 and contacts 0 on the one hand, and the axle arm (Z or rocking lever j on the other. When, however, the lever 0 is moved over to the right the arm (Z presses against the pin 79 and the circuit is immediately closed through 79 (Z and a. The closing of this circuit continues until the lever 0 is released and gives the audible signal which will attract the attention of the attendant who may be anywhere within hearing, but will give no indication of the origin of the call. By the movement of the lever 0 the lever j is deprived of the support of the arm (Z through the arm is and pin Z, the lever 7' therefore falls away and removes the contact a from proximity to the contacts 0 on the segment 6 as far as is permitted by the stop 9. The continued movement of the lever c in the same direction causes the arm (5 by bearing against the pin 39 to push the segment 6 into the position shown in F ig. 6 against the stop 1 When the lever 0 is released it springs back into its normal position and the arm (Z by the pin Z brings the rocking lever j back again so as to bring the contact 7?, into touch with the contacts 0, an adjustable screw and stop being provided to take up the wear. Meanwhile the segment is free to return to its normal positlon against the stop a, passing the contacts. 0 over the contact 12. and establishing an interrupted circuit of predetermined long and short sounds. It will be remembered that the return of the segment is automatic and is controlled and retarded by clockwork mechanism so that the contacts and interruptions of each instrument each time the bell is rung will be identical, well marked, and distinct, and socapable of easy recognition and differentiation.

I may here remark that other automatic retarding means might be employed, such as pneumatic, or dashpot, if preferred.

It now only remains to describe means for preventing the segment from commencing to return before the lever 0 has returned to its position of rest. In Figs. 4, 5, and 6, I have illustrated such means. r is a circular rack preferably on the cover of the drum 6 rigidly attached to the segment e, and pivoted on a fixed stud s is a pawl I? able to engage with said rack. The pawl t is'coupled by a link t to the lower arm of a bell crank lever u fulcrumed at o in such a way that it is capable of being lifted out of engagement with the rack r by rocking the said bell crank lever a. Normally (see Fig. 4) the lever u is caused to holdup the pawl t by means of the arm cl pressing against the said lever which is furnished with an adjustment screw w. When the arm (Z moves out of contact with the lever 14 the pawl 25 is released and drops or is pressed by a spring (not shown) into the teeth of the rack 1". The teeth of the rack are arranged to prevent backward movement of the segment as long as the pawl remains in engagement, but the forward movement of the segment is per mitted by the pawl riding over the teeth of the rack. It will thus be seen that the segment will not begin to go back before the lever c and arm d have returned to their normal position, and therefore the interrupted signal cannot begin and be confused with the warning ring.

In very large buildings where there are many call boxes, it is obvious that two or three bells of very different tone may be employed, for it would be inconvenient to fit more than, say 99 calls to the same bell.

It is well understood that the ordinary visual indicator will usually form part of the installation in case two or more actuating devices are operated at the same time or in case the attendant has not for any other reiltlson fully identified source of origin of ca It will be understood that various changes may be resorted to in the form, construction, arrangement, and operation of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I do not intend to limit myself to the specificidetails herein shown anddescribed except as they areset forth in the claims. i

reciprocate .on a fixed spindle, means for positively moving the reciprocating member .in one direction thesame means serving to connect the source of power with a suitable signal in order to give a warning during the Whole forward automatically governing and returning the said reciprocating member to its initial normal position, and means cooperating with the said reciprocating member during its return movement to give longer and shorter intermittent connection of the source of power with such signal member so as to give corresponding. aural calls.

'2. A device of the character described comprising, an electric circuit, a reciprocating member, means for movingthe reciprocating member positively in one direction, theisame servinglto close the circuit to give a premonitory signal during the whole forward movement, means for automatically returning thesaid reciprocating member to its initial position, and means cooperating with said reciprocating member during its return movement to intermittently give longer and shorter closingsof the electrical circuit and thereby causing aural signals of corresponding number or duration.

3. A device of the character described, comprising an electric circuit, an operating arm, a reciprocating member, the said operating arm being adapted to move the reciprocating member in one direction and to close the circuit during said movement, to give a prcmonitory signal, and means carried by said reciprocating member and adapted to coact with means controlled by said operating arm for making and breaking the circuit during the return-movement of said member to give a call signal.

comprising an electric circuit, an operating arm, a reciprocating member, the said operating arm being adapted to move the reciprocating member in one direction and to close the circuit during said movement, to give a premonitory signal, means carried by said reciprocating member and adapted to coact with means controlled by said operating arm for making and breaking the circuit during the return movement of said member to give a call signal, and means for regulating the speed of the reciprocating member during its return to its initial position.

5. A device of the character described comprising, an electric circuit without a relay and with a single source of power within movement, means for lay and with the circuit, a reciprocating member carrying one or more contact surfaces, a hinged counter-balanced lever carrying a. single contact it forward movement, and means for making and breaking the circuit directly and instantaneously as the surfaces on the said member make or leave contact with the point on the hinged lever during the automatic return movement of said member.

6. A device of the character described comprising, an electric circuit without a rea single source of power within the circuit, a reciprocating member carrying one or morecontact surfaces, a hinged counter-balanced lever carrying a single contact point, means for reciprocating said member, means for closing the electric circuit during the forward movement of said member, means for holding up the automatic return of said member for an appreciable time after removal of actuating force giving it forward movement, means for making and breaking the circuit directly and instantane- :ously as the surfaces on the said member make or leave contact with the point on the hinged lever during the automatic return movement of the said member, and means for equalizingthe speed of the reciprocating member during the whole of its automatic return.

7. A device of the character described, comprising an electric circuit, an operating arm, a reciprocating mem ber carrying a number of contact surfaces, means actuated by said operating arm for moving said member forward, the same means serving to close the circuit while the member is in motion, a pivoted lever carrying a single contact point, means for keeping said contact point out of engagement with said member during its forward movement, means for returning said member to its initial position, and means for bringing the contact point on said lever into operative relation to the contact surfaces on said member to make and break the circuit during the return of said member to its initial position. a

8. A device of the character described, comprising an electric circuit, an operating arm, a reciprocating member carrying a number of contact surfaces, means actuated by said operating arm for moving said member forward, the same means serving to close the circuit while the member is in motion, a pivoted lever carrying a single contact point, means for keeping said contact point out of engagement with said member during its forward movement, means for returning said member to its initial position, means for controlling the speed of return of said member, and means for bringing the contact point on said lever into operative relation to the contact surfaces on said member to make and break the circuit during the return of said member to its initial position.

9. In a device of the character described, comprising an electric circuit, an operating arm, A a reciprocating member carrying a number of contact surfaces, a stop on said reciprocating member adapted to be engaged by the operating arm to move the said member in one direction and to close the circuit during said engagement to give a premonitory signal, a lever controlled by the operating arm, a contact point on said lever, said lever being weighted for keeping said contact point out of engagement With the reciprocating member during its movement in one direction, means for returning the operating arm to its initial position, means for locking said reciprocating member against return until the said arm has reached its initial position, means for returning said member to its initial position, and means actuated by the return of said arm to bring the contact point on said lever into operative relation to the contact surfaces on said member to make and break the circuit to give a call signal during the return of said member to its initial position.

10. In a device of the character described, comprising an electric circuit, an operating arm, a reciprocating member carrying a number of contact surfaces, a stop on said reciprocating member adapted to be engaged y the operating arm to move the said member in one direction and to close the circuit during said engagement to give a premonitory signal, a lever controlled by the operating arm, a contact point on said lever, said lever being Weighted for keeping said contact point out of engagement with the reciprocating member during its movement in one direction, means for returning the operating arm to its initial position, means for locking said reciprocating member against return until the said arm has reached its initial position, means for returning said member to its initial position, means actuated by the return of said arm to bring the Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the contact point on said lever into operative relation to the contact surfaces on said mem ber to make and break the circuit to give a call signal durin the return of said member to its initial position, and means for regulating the speed of the reciprocating member during its return.

11. A device of the character described comprising, one source of electric poWer, an arm mounted on a fixed spindle and adapted to be rotated thereon by hand, an automatic return against which the arm is adapted to impinge, an insulated reciprocating sector adapted to be actuated inone direction only by said return, said sector being detached from said return and having its own separate automatic return, the periphery of said sector consisting of metallic contact surfaces of predetermined number and length, a stop on said insulated reciprocating sector adapted for the said operating arm to bear on in order to rotate it against its automatic return While simultaneously closing the electric power circuit so s to give a continuous premonitory signal until the handle of the arm is released, a counter-balanced hinged lever on Which is a contact point, Which lever is normally pressed flexibly against its counter-balance onto the metallic contact surfaces of the insulated sector by the action of the return spring of the actuating arm, means for locking the said insulated reciproeating sector against its governed automatic return until such locking means are released by the return of the operating arm to its normal initial position, so that the contact point of the hinged lever riding over the peripheral metallic contact surfaces of the insulated sector during the automatic return of the latter may give longer and shorter intermittent closings of the electrical circuit and thereby cause corresponding aural signals of varying number or duration.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM EDGAR MUNTZ.

Witnesses P. A. NEWTON, A. D. DINSDALE.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

